MARINA DIZON: A heroine of the Philippine Revolution

In 1893, a year after the Katipunan was organized, it’s Women’s Chapter was formed.
The women who were initiated into the secret organization were limited to the wives, daughters,
and close female relatives of the members. Marina Dizon was one of them, one of the mothers of
the Katipunan, being one of its first woman members.
She was a native of Tondo, Manila, daughter of Jose Dizon, one of the thirteen martyrs of
Cavite and an active associate of Andres Bonifacio. She was the cousin of Emilio Jacinto, who
recruited her to join the Katipunan. After the death of her mother, Josefa Dizon, the mother of
Emilio Jacinto took care of her. Almost all the family members were patriotic and nationalistic.
She was educated in both private and public schools, she was a student of arts, music,
painting, and modeling. Later, she became an accomplished singer, guitarist, and violinist.
Marina Dizon presided over the initiation rites for the woman recruits. Aside from
familiarizing them with the Constitution and teachings of the organization, she inspired the
women of revolution: “Be cheerful at all times; do not show fear of impending rebellion. Be
prepared to be orphans and widows someday. Be brave and carry on.” She was also tasked to
keep the records of the organization. When her father was executed and her husband was arrested
and the Katipunan was discovered, she burned the records to prevent the Spaniards to learn about
the organization. She also worked hard for the freedom of her husband who was imprisoned on
suspicion of revolutionary activities. She became a widow during World War II. She spent the
rest of her life with an unmarried daughter in Caloocan.
History has shown Filipino women as tenacious and strong-willed. Despite the many
obstacles in their path, their determination has enabled them to fight for freedom, not only for
themselves and their families but also for the country.
Marina Dizon has exemplified this kind of Filipino women.
Answer the following questions. (10 points each)
1. What factors influenced Marina Dizon’s participation in the Katipunan?
Marina accompanied her cousin Emilio Jacinto to the house of Don Restitution Javier. It
was there that she and a number of other women were initiated into the Katipunan.

2. Describe her task in the revolutionary organization.

She was tasked to keep the records of the Katipunan. Marina became an active member,
presided over initiation rites, kept records, and taught new members the constitution and
teachings.

3. On the space provided, write inspiring words of Marina Dizon for the woman recruits?
What is the message of these inspiring words to you personally?
Marina always said, "Be cheerful at all times, do not show signs of any impending
rebellion. Be prepared to be orphans and widows. Be brave and carry on". These are the
words that inspired the women of the Katipunan.

4. What qualities of Filipino women are exemplified in Marina Dizon’s life?

History has shown Filipino women as tenacious and strong-willed. Despite the many
obstacles in their path, their determination has enabled them to fight for freedom, not
only for themselves and their families but also for the country.

5. In what way is Marina Dizon considered a heroine of the Philippine Revolution?

She presided over initiation rites, kept records, and taught new members the constitution.
She reminded women to be brave and to carry on. Her husband was arrested in 1897 and
her father was executed in the same year, yet instead of betraying the revolution, she
chose to burn all the records of the Katipunan in order to prevent the Spaniards from
getting more information.
6. Cite a Filipino woman whom you consider a hero. In what way is she a hero?
Trinidad Tecson is the first Filipina known to have taken part in the sacred blood pact or
Sandugo. She was given the title “Ina ng Biak-na-Bato” or Mother of the Biak-na-Bato
Republic after putting up a facility to care for those wounded from fighting.

Tecson herself was on the battlefield alongside Katipuneros, braving 12 battles with
fellow revolutionaries. She fought under 5 Filipino generals, including Emilio Aguinaldo,
Gregorio del Pilar, Isidoro Torres, and Mariano Llanera.

Tecson also fought against the Americans until she fell ill and sought treatment in
Manila.

Tecson was known as the “Mother of the Philippine Red Cross” as she nursed many
injured Filipino soldiers along with a group she organized.

When the Philippine-American war was over, she remained a woman who provided for
herself as she focused on her business in Nueva Ecija after her second husband died.